After the 6-0 gala performance against Augsburg and the role as Bayern’s number one hunter, everything seems to be going well at RB Leipzig at the moment. But as soon as the cheers die down, a dangerous stumbling block awaits in the cup: third division team Energie Cottbus – strong at home and full of cup euphoria.
Ole Werner would like to avoid a hint of arrogance with RB Leipzig in the cup game against third division club Energie Cottbus. “The aim is not to allow a turbulent game. I played there with Bremen, a passionate opponent is waiting for us,” said the RB head coach before the second round game on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) with the Lausitzers and emphasized: “We will not underestimate the leaders of the 3rd league.”
Energie Cottbus no walk-in customers
This caution is probably appropriate, because Cottbus is impressively showing this season that they are anything but just walk-in customers. Head coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz’s team is still undefeated in their home stadium and caused a stir in the first round of the cup with a win against second division team Hannover 96.
The stadium in Cottbus is sold out with 22,528 fans for the first second round home game in the DFB Cup in eleven years. Coach Wollitz also relies on this poundage against RB. With floodlights and uncomfortable weather, he would like to see a “cup thriller that makes you say afterwards: It was worth it.” It is important “that the audience on Tuesday creates an atmosphere that has never been experienced here before. Something like that can make an evening extraordinary.” Lusatia should tremble, Wollitz continued.
RB Leipzig is on a roll
While the anticipation is growing in Cottbus, Leipzig is arriving with a big chest and a remarkable series. Since then 6-0 opening defeat against FC Bayern RB is undefeated in seven competitive games and impresses week after week with its pace, enthusiasm and stability.
Werner also knows the atmosphere in Lausitz from his own experience: He was already successful there with Werder Bremen – in 2022 he won 2-1 and in the previous season he won 3-1 in the first round. Accordingly, he knows about the pitfalls of a cup evening with a motivated third division team and how to avoid them. “A knockout game against the leaders of the 3rd division is anything but easy. Nevertheless, we stick with ourselves, want to put in a decent performance, prepare ourselves in the best possible way and be prepared for anything,” said the 37-year-old.
Watch the cup game live
Whether Leipzig continues its run or whether Lausitz actually shakes will be seen on Tuesday evening in the Friendship Stadium. If you can’t be there on site, you have the opportunity to follow the game live via SpiO audio stream or via live ticker. Kick-off is 8:45 p.m.
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MDR TELEVISION | MDR current | October 29, 2025 | 7:30 p.m
